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Operation MoLoChKa

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Operation MoLoChKa
Part of the Ukrainian attacks on the Russian shadow fleet campaign, part of the Russo-Ukrainian war
Date6 July 2026 – ongoing
Location
Sea of Azov and Black Sea
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
 Ukraine  Russia
Commanders and leaders
Ukraine Robert Brovdi ("Magyar") No centralized leadership
Units involved

Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine

Security Service of Ukraine		 Shadow fleet vessels
Casualties and losses

196 vessels struck

  • Sea of Azov - 126
  • Black Sea - 70[1][2]

Operation MoLoChKa (Ukrainian: Молочка) is an ongoing Ukrainian military campaign, launched on 6 July 2026, using naval and aerial attack drones against tankers and other vessels of the Russian shadow fleet in the Sea of Azov, later extending into the Black Sea.[3] The joint SBS and SBU campaign[4] is commanded by Robert Brovdi ("Magyar"), head of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces.[5]

Background

On 6 July, Robert Brovdi posted the first videos of drone strikes on the Sea of Azov shadow fleet, Captain Barmin and Sanar-3 were hit.[6] Vessels were hit by guided mid range one way drones, including the FP-1 and FP-2 drones by Firepoint.[7]

Vessels struck include shadow-fleet oil tankers, gas tankers, cargo ships, ferries, tugboats, at least one LNG tanker. The drone strike campaign was meant to disrupt Russian trade routes that are critical to the Kremlin's war economy.[8] The attacks were meant to complicate fuel deliveries to Crimea.[9]

On 15 July 2026, Robert Brovdi said that the Sea of Azov chapter had expanded to the Black Sea chapter.[10]

Naming

According to Robert Brovdi, the operation name "MoLoCHKa" stands for the first letters of the phrase "МОсква Ляже Через Крим", roughly translated to "Moscow will fall through Crimea". The abbreviation is also a common slang for "dairy".[11]

Course of the campaign

  • 6 July: tankers Captain Barmin and Sanar-3 were hit[12]
  • 7 July: Ukraine said they had struck 10 vessels, including eight tankers from the Russian shadow fleet delivering fuel to occupied Crimea, in an unspecified area of the Sea of Azov. A video was posted with drone-view footage from multiple UAVs, in which said tankers were hit and caught fire.[13] The same source also claimed that two more tankers were struck the same day.[14][15] The Turkish flagged and owned tanker Yasa Polaris, chartered by Chevron, was damaged by a drone strike while approaching the Russian Port of Novorossiysk to undergo loading of Kazakh oil at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium oil terminal.[16] The vessel reported damage to her superstructure, but no hull damage. As a result, Yasa Polaris was able to safely sail towards the safety of Turkey under her own power.[17]
  • 8 July: A following update by Brovdi stated that Ukrainian aerial and sea drones had struck 9 more vessels, bringing the total to 21 within 72 hours from the first attack, 19 of which were tankers allegedly part of the Russian shadow fleet.[18]
  • 9 July: 14 more ships, including 12 tankers were hit, bringing the total to 35. Those figures were later updated to a total of 36 ships struck, 32 of which were tankers allegedly part of the Russian shadow fleet.[19]
  • 10 July: Brovdi announced that with another 13 ships struck in the Sea of Azov, 10 of which were tankers, the number of Russian vessels hit reached "almost 50". Consequently, Russia halted shipping through the Volga-Don Canal, a move that impacted Russia's fuel transport and grain export.[20][21]
  • 11 July: Brovdi announced that overnight, another 28 Russian ships had been hit in the Sea of Azov, bringing the total number up to 76.[22]
  • 12 July: Ten tankers and four ferries were hit, bringing the total to 90 vessels targeted in one week, Brovdi said.[23]
  • 13 July: 15 more vessels were hit, bringing the total to 105[24]
  • 14 July: USF struck 11 more vessels, 5 tankers, 5 dry cargo ships, and 1 tugboat, for a total of 116 over 9 days[25][26]
  • 15 July 2026 - Brovdi said that 20 vessels in the Black Sea were hit by Ukrainian drones, including 17 oil tankers, 2 gas tankers, 1 tugboat.[27]
  • 16 July: 11 more ships in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov - [28]
  • 17 July: 12 Ships in the black sea[29] The Liberian flagged tanker, Nordic Zenith, owned by Nordic American Tankers and chartered by ExxonMobil, was damaged by two drone strikes and caught fire as it approached the Russian Port of Novorossiysk to undergo loading at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium oil terminal.[30] In an official press statement, the CPC stated that the fire was extinguished and thirteen crew members were evacuated. Furthermore, the tanker was declared unfit for mooring or loading operations at the oil terminal.
  • 18 July: 13 vessels were struck in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov[31]
  • 19 July: The Caspian Pipeline Consortium reported in the Port of Novorossiysk, the Liberian flagged, Greek owned tanker Asia, and the Marshall Islands flagged, Greek owned tanker Nissos Ios, were attacked during loading operations, but that there were no injuries or oil spills.[32] CPC did not identify a responsible party for the attack.[33][34] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan issued a statement condemning the unmanned aerial vehicle strikes which took place on the 17th and 19th of July, stating that it would "consider such attacks to be an unacceptable infringement on the economic interests of the Republic of Kazakhstan."[35][36]

Impact and response

Map of the Black Sea

By 11 July 2026, Russia halted the shipping channel through the Don-Azov Channel as well as the Kerch Strait due to the strikes. Up to 25% of wheat exports from Russia pass through the Sea of Azov.[37][38]

The Russian Agriculture Ministry said they would begin rerouting grain shipments away from the Sea of Azov following the strikes.[39]

On 18 July 2026, in response to the attacks, Robert Brovdi reported that the Russian Rubicon drone unit had moved 200 of its crew away from the frontline and to protect the Sea of Azov and Black Sea along with the entire 51st Air Defence Division.[2]

Grain elevators in the Port of Odessa

In response to the disruption of its own fuel and cargo logistics, Russia has escalated a persistent campaign of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine's shipping facilities in the Black Sea, targeting the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi in particular.[40][41] On 17 July 2026, Financial Times reported that Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports were facing a severe crisis, with attacks on Odesa resulting in a one-third reduction in grain storage[42] capacity, leading traders to pause shipments due to heightened security risks. Traders have reported widespread logistical problems, including difficulties with procurement, sales and cargo accumulation.[43] In mid July 2026, it was reported that four out of thirteen large grain terminals in the region had suspended services. Grain exporter Kernel Holding suspended operations at the Port of Chornomorsk on 13 July, citing significant destruction of its loading and processing infrastructure, as well as the loss of 45,000 tons of wheat and 9,000 tones of sunflower oil.[44][45][46]

Robert Brovdi estimated that the operation had reduced the Kerch Strait ferry crossing capacity by 75%.[31]

In the start of the campaign there were over 100 vessels near the Kerch Strait, by July 19 that number had reduced to about twelve.[47]

Russias largest Black Sea oil port Sheskharis located in the Port of Novorossiysk halted loading on 21 July due to the operation.[48]

Reactions

National

During a press conference held on 14 July 2026, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov called the strikes "terrorism".[49]

International

On 13 July 2026, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) formally condemned the attacks against civilian merchant ships operating in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.[50] Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez issued as statement emphasised the protection of civilian crews, the upholding of freedom of navigation in international waters, and the significant ecological risks posed to the Black Sea.[51] The organization stressed that merchant seafarers are neutral parties and that current actions create unacceptable dangers to shipping and the environment, noting that the operation represented the largest observed attack against merchant shipping since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war.[52] The IMO rejected the justification that a ship's destination makes the seafarers onboard valid targets.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "13 Russian Vessels Destroyed by Ukrainian Drones in 48 Hours: Inside the 'MoLoChKa' Operation". 112.ua. 22 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Madyar: Russia pulls 200 Rubicon drone crews from front to protect shadow fleet". Liga.net. 18 July 2026. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "RPT Russia halts Don-Azov channel shipping, affecting grain trade, after Ukraine attacks". Reuters. 10 July 2026. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "How Ukraine's Drone Swarms Decimated Russia's Shadow Fleet". Kyiv Post. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Ukraine Says It Hit 159 Russian Shadow Fleet Vessels in 12 Days". Kyiv Post. 17 July 2026. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  6. ↑ Asami Terajima (7 July 2026). "'Industrial scale results' — 8 Russian shadow fleet tankers hit in Azov Sea, Ukraine's 'Magyar' says". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "The Azov Sea wasn't enough—Ukraine's drones followed Russia's oil fleet into the Black Sea". Euromaidan Press. 15 July 2026. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  8. ↑ Abishev, Ilya; Brown, Paul; Kirby, Paul (9 July 2026). "Ukraine strikes Russian ships near Crimea, escalating attacks on fuel supplies". NBC News. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Ukrainian drone strikes choke Russian shipping in the Sea of Azov". Reuters Graphics. 14 July 2026. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "The Black Sea is ablaze: "Madyar" reports a record-breaking strike against the Russian Navy". Komersant Ukrainian. 15 July 2026. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Ukraine Gave Its Next Phase A Name: MoLoChKa, Short for a Promise ("Moscow Will Fall Through Crimea")". National Security Journal. 15 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "Ukraine Says 35 Shadow Fleet Ships Struck in 4 Days After Another 14 Struck Overnight". Kyiv Post. 9 July 2026. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "Ukraine strikes eight Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers, Kyiv says". Internazionale. 7 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
  14. ↑ Pelenschuk, Dan (7 July 2026). "Ukraine strikes Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers supplying Crimea". Reuters. Retrieved 7 July 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ↑ Review, Global Banking & Finance (7 July 2026). "Ukraine Strikes Eight Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers in Sea of Azov". Global Banking & Finance Review. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Chevron-chartered oil tanker caught in Russia-Ukraine war as Kyiv steps up attacks". Reuters. 8 July 2026.
  17. ↑ Astakhova, Olesya (8 July 2026). "Black Sea drone strike hits Chevron-chartered oil tanker". Baird Maritime. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  18. ↑ Hancock, Alice (8 July 2026). "Ukraine intensifies attacks on Russian ships in Azov Sea". Financial Times. Retrieved 8 July 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ↑ Pruchnicka, Anna (9 July 2026). "Ukraine says it hits more Russian fuel tankers as Crimea campaign intensifies". Internazionale. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
  20. ↑ "Russia halts Don-Azov channel shipping, affecting grain trade, after Ukraine attacks | live". live.euronext.com. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "Ukraine creates 'long-range' command to step up strikes on Russia". Internazionale. 10 July 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
  22. ↑ "Ukraine strikes nearly 28 vessels in Sea of Azov overnight, Russia closes sea access". APA. 11 July 2026. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
  23. ↑ "Ukrainian drone strikes force Russia to suspend shipping in Sea of Azov". The Guardian. 12 July 2026. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  24. ↑ Polina Moroziuk (13 July 2026). "Ukraine says drones struck 15 more Russian vessels as Sea of Azov campaign reaches 105 ships total". The Kyiv Independent. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  25. ↑ "Unmanned Systems Forces struck 11 vessels of Russia's shadow fleet in the Sea of Azov overnight". UNN. 14 July 2026. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  26. ↑ Felstead, Peter (14 July 2026). "Ukrainian attack UAVs continue to hunt down Russian shadow fleet around Sea of Azov". Warsight. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  27. ↑ "Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces "Madyar" showed a video of the "MoLoChKa" operation". UNN. 15 July 2026. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  28. ↑ "Video: Ukrainian Drones Hit 11 More Vessels Linked To Russia's Shadow Fleet In Black Sea And Sea Of Azov". Marine Insight. 17 July 2026. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  29. ↑ "Unmanned Systems Forces hit 12 more ships of Russian shadow fleet in Black Sea". Ukranews. 17 July 2026. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "Exxon-chartered oil tanker attacked by drones near Black Sea terminal". Reuters. 18 July 2026.
  31. 1 2 "Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces hit 12 more vessels of Russia's shadow fleet in Black Sea". Mezha. 18 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  32. ↑ Temirgaliyeva, Arailym (19 July 2026). "2 tankers carrying Kazakh oil attacked by drones at CPC terminal". 2 tankers carrying Kazakh oil attacked by drones at CPC terminal.
  33. ↑ "Caspian Pipeline Consortium oil loadings suspended after drone attacks on tankers, CPC says". Reuters. 19 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "Caspian Pipeline Consortium: Oil loadings halted after tanker attack at Black Sea terminal". The Times of India. 19 July 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  35. ↑ Temirgaliyeva, Arailym (19 July 2026). "Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry condemns drone attacks on oil tankers at CPC". Kazinform.
  36. ↑ "Kazakhstan condemns reported drone attacks on oil tankers using Black Sea export route". Anadolu (in Turkish). 19 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  37. ↑ "Russia halts Don-Azov Channel shipping, closes Kerch Strait after Ukrainian tanker strikes". Euromaidan Press. 11 July 2026. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  38. ↑ "Russia halts Don-Azov channel shipping, affecting grain trade, after Ukraine attacks". Reuters. 10 July 2026. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  39. ↑ "Russia Prepares to Reroute Grain Exports From Sea of Azov After Ukrainian Attacks". The Moscow Times. 14 July 2026.
  40. ↑ "Exchange of strikes between Russia, Ukraine in last 24 hours". Anadolu (in Turkish). Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  41. ↑ "Russian strikes threaten Ukraine's Black Sea grain trade". www.ft.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  42. ↑ Polityuk, Parvel (15 July 2026). "Ukraine's Black Sea ports lose a third of grain export capacity, farmers' union says". Reuters.
  43. ↑ "Russian strikes cut Ukraine grain export capacity by a third". www.thepigsite.com. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  44. ↑ "Due to Russian shelling, the Kernel export terminal in Chornomorsk was stopped". Kernel.ua.
  45. ↑ "Odessa Journal | Main". odessa-journal.com. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  46. ↑ "Kernel suspends Chornomorsk operations after Russian attack | World Grain". www.world-grain.com. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  47. ↑ "Satellite Images Show How Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces Drove Russia's Shadow Fleet Out of the Kerch Strait". Defense Express. 20 July 2026. Retrieved 20 July 2026.
  48. ↑ "Russia's Top Black Sea Oil Port Halts Loadings on Safety Fears". Bloomberg News. 24 July 2026. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  49. ↑ "Russia Halts Azov Sea Shipping as Ukrainian Drone Campaign Targets Tanker Fleet". Kyiv Post. 11 July 2026. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  50. ↑ "IMO condemns attacks on civilian merchant vessels in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea". www.imo.org. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  51. ↑ "IMO condemns renewed attacks on merchant vessels in Black Sea, Sea of Azov - Asia Cargo News". www.asiacargonews.com. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
  52. ↑ "Ukraine drone unit claims strikes on over 100 Russian vessels in Sea of Azov - India Shipping News". 17 July 2026. Retrieved 19 July 2026.
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